Dwight Howard happy to be in Los Angeles rather than Brooklyn

Dwight Howard’s preferred destination last summer was said to be Brooklyn, where he would team with Deron Williams in an attempt to give the newly relocated Nets a fresh identity after years of playing in the wilds of New Jersey.

But the Orlando Magic traded Howard to the Lakers instead, and he couldn’t be happier to be in sunny Southern California.

“I’m in L.A.,” Howard said Monday. “There’s no need to talk about what could have happened. I’m happy being here in L.A. Like I’ve said, the fans have always been great here and now that I’m on the team, the fans … they have been unbelievable to me.

“So, I’m just happy about that. … I think this is the best situation for me.”

The Lakers and the Nets play Tuesday at Staples Center.

Mike D’Antoni can’t say if he’ll make his Lakers coaching debut Tuesday

Mike D’Antoni couldn’t, or wouldn’t, say whether he would be on the bench for the Lakers’ game Tuesday against the Brooklyn Nets at Staples Center. He said Monday he didn’t want a repeat of Sunday when he said he hoped he would make his Lakers coaching debut, but couldn’t do it.

D’Antoni spent the second consecutive game in the Lakers’ locker room, watching them play on TV while having physical therapy on his newly replaced knee joint. The Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets two nights after beating the Phoenix Suns.

“I’m going to try,” D’Antoni said. “We’ll see. We’ll talk to Gary tomorrow and see how it goes. Sunday I said I would and it didn’t work out. I don’t want to say, yeah, and have it not work out again. We’ll just see. It’s a lot better. Every day it gets 10 points better. Hopefully, I’ll be ready to go.”

D’Antoni referred to Gary Vitti, the Lakers’ athletic trainer.

Pau Gasol cherishes 15,000 point plateau mark

In a slick moment of time, Pau Gasol performed something so simple yet so magnificent.

Kobe Bryant just threw him a dump pass at the top of the key, and the Lakers forward calmly sank the mid-range jumper. Soon after, Gasol pumped his fist in celebration. He just became the ninth foreign born player to score 15,000 points. Moments after making that shot with 9:21 left in the third quarter, public address announcer Lawrence Tanter shared the news before an appreciative Staples Center crowd.

“It’s something to be proud of and I’m happy be able to reach these milestones,” Gasol said after scoring 17 points on seven of 13 shooting in the the Lakers’ 119-108 victory Sunday over the Houston Rockets. “I want to continue to be as productive as I’ve been throughout my career. It feels good. It’s a good milestone to reach.”

Gasol’s record-setting tonight provided a visual reminder on how it’s dangerous of teams to discount his presence. Yes, Houston had to account for Kobe Bryant’s triple-double threat, Dwight Howard’s improved explosiveness, Metta World Peace’s surprisingly efficient shooting and even Darius Morris’ point-guard development. But just as he did in reaching the 15,000 point plateau, Gasol’s mid-range threat proves dividends.

Gasol spaces the floor well. He’s well versed at playing the pick-and-roll games. Gasol usually ensures making the extra pass.

“Hopefully people will talk about it a little bit and sing his praises a little bit,” Bryant said. “He’s not the type to toot his own horn, so, I think it’s important for Los Angeles to kind of pay their respects for what he’s done for this franchise. He kind of goes under the radar, slips under the mat for whatever reason. He’s a fantastic player.”

After all, very few foreign-born players have scored the amount of points Gasol has. With his achievement, the native Spaniard also joins Hakeem Olajuwon (Nigeria), Dominique Wilkins (France), Patrick Ewing (Jamaica), Dirk Nowitzki (Germany), Rolando Blackman (Panama), Steve Nash (South Africa), Kiki Vandeweghe (Germany) and Detlef Schrempf (West Germany).

“I just wanted to be successful and I just wanted to make it and earn respect and succeed and hopefully make people proud of what I was doing,” said Gasol, who’s won two NBA championships with the Lakers. “That’s what I always try to do on a daily basis. So far I’ve gotten to this point and it’s been pretty good.”

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Kobe Bryant’s triple double large part of Lakers’ high-powered offense

The realization didn’t come in seven seconds or less.

It actually came in 12 minutes.

That was the only time Kobe Bryant needed to show that he would be well on his way toward his 18th career triple-double in the Lakers’ 119-108 victory Sunday over the Houston Rockets. That’s when he scored 11 of his 22 points on by hitting uncanny jumpers and making drives to the basket. That’s when Bryant grabbed seven of his 11 rebounds by aggressively going after teammates’ missed shots and filling in the defensive gaps. That’s when he posted five of his 11 assists by finding Dwight Howard open for lob dunks and Pau Gasol for mid-range jumpers.

“I’m going to score I’m not a triple double player,” Bryant said in nonchalant fashion. “But it’s cool when it happens.”

But it’s cool for reasons beyond seeing Bryant perform miraculous feats on the basketball court. See, Bryant has accomplished a lot in his 17th NBA season, spanning five championship rings, two Finals MVPS, one regular-season MVP and a fifth-place ranking on the NBA all-time scoring list. So why should he be all giddy about recording his 18th career triple double?

He shouldn’t for his own sake. But it’s far from a coincidence that Bryant never recorded a triple-double when Mike Brown coached the team. The last time he did so happened Nov. 3, 2010 against the Sacramento Kings where he recorded 30 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists during Phil Jackson’s last season.

What Bryant showed against Houston reflected how elements of Mike D’Antoni’s offensive system taps both into his superior talents while ensuring floor balance elsewhere. After all, plenty of Bryant’s teammates posted double figures including Dwight Howard (28 points), Pau Gasol (17 points), Metta World Peace (17 points) and Darius Morris (12 points).

“We’re playing free, simple basketball right now,” Gasol said. “We’re making good decisions with the ball and playing.”

Continue reading “Kobe Bryant’s triple double large part of Lakers’ high-powered offense” »

Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni cites fatigue for absence against Houston

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Mike D’Antoni seemed insistent on quickly making his Lakers debut.

But then Lakers trainer Gary Vitti convinced him otherwise, alerting him about the dangers in rushing back too quickly after having recent knee replacement surgery. Hence, D’Antoni postponed his coaching debut when the Lakers host the Houston Rockets tonight at Staples Center.

“I don’t want to be a sideshow,” D’Antoni said. “One, these are important games at home. Two, the energy could be waning toward the end.”

D’Antoni said he hopes to coach the Lakers Tuesday against Brooklyn or Wednesday at Sacramento. That all hinges though on well his energy level holds up and how quickly he can pace the sideline. The Lakers are also concerned about players accidentally running into D’Antoni on the sideline.

D’Antoni’s absence further prolonged Bernie Bickerstaff’s status as the interim coach. He has gone 3-1 since the Lakers fired Mike Brown Nov. 9 following a 1-4 start. Regardless of when he returns, D’Antoni said he plans to retain Bickerstaff as one of his assistants. He then added, “unless he loses tonight.”

D’Antoni planned to watch the game with his injured point guards Steve Nash (fractured left leg) and Steve Blake (lower abdomen) from the Lakers’ locker room while receiving treatment.

“It was the smart thing to do,” D’Antoni said. “I’m a little disappointed. I got out there ahead of myself saying I could be this weekend and we ran with today. I wanted it to be, but I’m not quite ready yet.”

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter.

Mike D’Antoni won’t coach against Rockets

Mike D’Antoni’s coaching debut with the Lakers is put on hold

He won’t coach when the Lakers host the Houston Rockets tonight at Staples Center.

D’Antoni hinted at the possibility following morning shootaround Sunday, even saying he was “50-50” as he tries to recover from recent knee replacement surgery. But the decision didn’t become official until about 3:30 p.m. The Lakers have listed D’Antoni as day-to-day, making it unclear whether he will coach Tuesday against the Brooklyn Nets.

“I don’t want to get out there and not be able to move,” he said during morning shootaround. “It would be crazy with just the mobility aspect of it. It would be a sideshow and take away the focus of what you need to focus on.”

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Mike D’Antoni, Metta World Peace recall ‘Linsanity’

Out of nowhere, a loud commotion came out of the Lakers’ player lounge.

Then, Lakers forward Metta World Peace opened the door and threw his hands up in the air.

“Linsanity!” World Peace gushed,.

World Peace and his Lakers teammates had just watched Jeremy Lin hit a game-winning three-pointer at the top of the key with a half second to play, lifting the New York Knicks to a regular season win against the Toronto Raptors. At the time, Lin’s game winner marked his sixth consecutive game in which he scored at least 20 points. It also lifted the Lakers’ spirits nearly 3,000 miles away.

“Everybody was; it wasn’t just me,” World Peace said. “It was the whole team. We were like wow. Everyone was riding the wave. We were really excited. I’m happy for him.”

This conversation came up as the Lakers play a game tonight at Staples Center against the Houston Rockets, whom Lin joined this offseason and signed a three-year, $25 million contract. Other scenery has changed, too. For one, Mike D’Antoni has become the Lakers’ head coach less than a season after resigning from New York in the middle of the season.

World Peace and D’Antoni still remain nostalgic about the storyline “Linsanity” produced, but for different reasons.

World Peace, who has a Filipino son, loved how Lin became one of the few Asian Americans to breakout in the NBA.

“I played a lot against Asian Americans on the basketball court in America, especially in New York City,” World Peace said. “I got a lot of Asian American friends. There are a ton of Asian Americans playing on the basketball court. To see one make it was amazing. That was really amazing …
It was something new. You see black guys all over the place. Who cares?”

D’Antoni simply appreciated Lin’s breakout campaign extended his job security. It also provided a vivid example on determination and hard work paying off. After graduating from Harvard, Lin struggled landing on an NBA roster, including the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets. Lin’s emergence with the Knicks soon changed the Rockets’ mind.

“The biggest thing it meant to me is that it leaves me with an unbelievable memory of two weeks that were incredible,” D’Antoni said Saturday. “I don’t care what sport, what walk of life — to be able to experience that, feel the bond with those guys that were doing it.”

“It gives me more confidence as a coach. “Because you can waver. You can take some hits. You start doubting things. But Jeremy put everything back in order, and it makes me go forward.”

That moment has since moved on too, but the memories remain fresh for World Peace and D’Antoni.

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Steve Blake to sit out against Houston, Darius Morris to start at point guard

EL SEGUNDO — Lakers guard Steve Blake will sit out tonight’s game against the Houston Rockets, marking his third consecutive game he’s missed since worsening a lower abdominal strain.

Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni said he hasn’t talked to trainer Gary Vitti about Blake’s progression, but ruled him out simply because he hadn’t practiced since the injury kept him sidelined during the Lakers’ win last week against Sacramento.

“We have to be cautious with that,” D’Antoni said. “It would be crazy to screw that up.”

Meanwhile, second-year point guard Darius Morris will receive the starting nod for the third consecutive game. Apologies to Chris Duhon, but even his past experience playing for D’Antoni with the New York Knicks won’t propel him in the pecking order above Morris.

D’Antoni eagerly awaits his reunion with Steve Nash, who’s expected at least to miss at least four more games because of the sore fracture in his left leg. D’Antoni also touted Blake as a perfect candidate in his system. But the new Lakers coach also raved about Morris’ length, playmaking abilities and defense.

“I think he runs the team well with the pick-and-roll,” D’Antoni said of Duhon. “But I do want Darius to develop even when the two Steves come back. He has good size and can play at the 2. He needs to keep developing his game.”

Morris has averaged 5.6 points on 35 percent shooting in 20 minutes, but has appeared more comfortable this season in striking a better balance between using his quickness and settling into the offense.

“I told him he would,” D’Antoni said regarding whether Morris would play when Nash and Blake return. “I hope so. Now it depends a little bit on him. But that would be the plan.”

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Mike D’Antoni: “50-50” on making his coaching debut tonight against Houston

EL SEGUNDO — As soon as he limped out of the trainer’s room, Lakers coach Mike D;Antoni sat down on a padded seat adjacent to the practice court.

He’s trying to conserve as much energy as he can after having recent knee replacement surgery. With the Lakers (4-5) hosting the Houston Rockets (4-5) tonight at Staples Center, D’Antoni’s debut could hinge on that variable.

“The plan is, but I’m still 50-50,” D’Antoni said after morning shootaround here at the Lakers’ practice facility. “I may be jumping the gun a little bit. I threw that day out of the air and people ran with it. So we’ll see.”

D’Antoni has coached the Lakers for the past two practices beginning Thursday. He’s no longer walking around with crutches. And he described himself as feeling “95%” and “getting better.”

But D’Antoni has also noticed his energy level “goes up and down.” Aside from practices, he’s filled his days with physical therapy and lots of rest. So much that he said he slept for most of Saturday afternoon and evening. So as his possible Lakers coaching debut awaits tonight, D’Antoni wants to make sure he’s physically capable of making it a memorable one for the right reasons.

“We’ll see. I don’t want to get out there and not be able to move,” he said. “It would be crazy with just the mobility aspect of it. It would be a sideshow and take away the focus of what you need to focus on.”

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